Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~pieholePlan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

Well it seems that we may never get to frolic in the dust together anyway. Your government has decided I'm far too heinous a criminal to let into the US because I was busted for growing dope 30 years ago so my visa application has been denied

BUT... a glimmer of hope, perhaps! Does Aus have a pardon program? Canada has one; it's mostly for people in exactly your situation. It allows those who have been convicted of minor crimes and have served out their sentence, who are no longer on parole/probation and have passed a certain waiting period, to have those crimes stricken from their record, mostly so they can travel/work in places/industries where a criminal record would be an obstruction to them. I think, essentially, its purpose is to make sure people don't go on being punished for things where society/the government consider their debt to have been paid.

A quick Google search didn't turn up anything for Australia, but maybe the legal terminology there is a bit different. I would talk to a free legal clinic or something and ask them if there's such a program.

Good luck!(((Chiron)))

If you want drama to stop following you everywhere, try letting go of the leash.

Chiron wrote:Well it seems that we may never get to frolic in the dust together anyway. Your government has decided I'm far too heinous a criminal to let into the US because I was busted for growing dope 30 years ago so my visa application has been denied

Tourist visa? Did they state the reason? I am an immigrant myself and they usually dont state the reasons (or, thats my understanding). I am not too sure about tourist visa procedures.

Chiron wrote:Well it seems that we may never get to frolic in the dust together anyway. Your government has decided I'm far too heinous a criminal to let into the US because I was busted for growing dope 30 years ago so my visa application has been denied

Fuckity fuck. Have you talked to the embassy? 30 years ago is just bloody ridiculous! Surely there must be some sanity somewhere.

Yeah it's pretty over the top. Thanks for your support and outrage.Well wh..sh you have to declare if you've ever been arrested to apply for entry from Australia - quote "If you have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction" (and no I did not get a criminal conviction for it)And catinthefunnyhat, you're right - they do have a scheme here. I have to apply for a waiver. The processing for that takes only five months! Well there goes BM for this year. I'm applying so if it gets granted I may make it for next year. I did email them asking them if they could expedite the process on compassionate grounds because I have a girlfriend there but that didn't sway them. Will I ever see Angel again <3

Chiron wrote:they do have a scheme here. I have to apply for a waiver. The processing for that takes only five months! Well there goes BM for this year.

Gah! Five months!I guess given Aus's history as a penal colony, they've got their work cut out for them. *ducks*

Chiron wrote: I'm applying so if it gets granted I may make it for next year. I did email them asking them if they could expedite the process on compassionate grounds because I have a girlfriend there but that didn't sway them. Will I ever see Angel again <3

I guess compassionate grounds is for the death or serious illness of a loved one. Would Angel be any good at faking consumption? -- I kid, I kid! I'd never advocate that kind of fraud. Also, nobody would believe consumption. It would have to be AIDS.

Well, good luck for 2013!!!

If you want drama to stop following you everywhere, try letting go of the leash.